NATS 101, Lec 40+57H & Lec 41+58H Fall 2009
The Earth & Its Environment: INTRODUCTION TO GLOBAL CHANGE 
Instructor:  Dr. Katie Hirschboeck     
Time / Place: Lec 40+57H  T TH  12:30 - 1:45 pm  &  Lec 413+58H: T TH 5:00 - 6:15 pm ILC 140

See also the COURSE POLICIES at: The NATS 101-GC FAQ "Frequently Asked Questions"

COURSE DESCRIPTION
  
Introduction to Global Change presents the basics of physical science within the context of global environmental changes (climatic change, global warming, ozone depletion, deforestation, etc.) that impact Earth and its inhabitants. The course involves hands-on activities, discussions, computer exercises, and interactive small-group learning teams.

The course is one of the Tier I General Education natural science course offerings of NATS 101, The Earth and Its Environments, and -- along with its GLOBAL CHANGE topics, includes an overview of four key concepts governing physical and chemical processes: (1) the atomic structure of matter, (2) the role of electromagnetism in nature, (3) the laws of thermodynamics governing energy transfers, and (4) Newton's laws governing force and motion.

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  COURSE OVERVIEW &  DESCRIPTION OF WHO SHOULD ENROLL IN THIS COURSE

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  GOALS & EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES OF THIS COURSE

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  ABOUT THE “LEARNING PHILOSOPHY” UNDERLYING THIS COURSE

PROFESSOR

Dr. Katie Hirschboeck (Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research).  "Dr. H"  is a climatologist whose research involves linking atmospheric circulation patterns to tree-ring variations, floods, and other extreme events. She also studies the influence of explosive volcanic eruptions on climate.

Office:  Tree-Ring Laboratory, rm 208 West Stadium (go up the stairs at Gate 15 on the west side of the football stadium) 
Phone: 621-6466 (has answering machine)   Email:  katie@LTRR.arizona.edu

Dr. H's Office Hours:  Wed 1:30 - 2:30 pm  OR  by special appointment in my office in the Tree-Ring Lab (208 West Stadium).  NOTE:  To set up an appointment with me, you must arrange it through email.   I am also readily accessible by email on most any day of the week and can usually get a response back to you within 24 hours.

GRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANTS (GTA's)   

Rebecca Franklin (Geosciences & Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research with a Global Change minor) is a PhD candidate who works in the alpine eastern Sierra Nevada range of California researching recent climatic and ecological change in above-treeline ecosystems.  She enjoys running, learning the fiddle, constructing art projects and hanging with her family.   Email: rebecca@ltrr.arizona.edu  
Rebecca's Office Hours:  Tue & Thu 2 -3 pm in the ILC / Information Commons

Jelena Vukomanovic  (Arid Lands Resources Sciences with a Remote Sensing minor)  a PhD student interested in conservation easements and the connections between environmental monitoring and policy for habitat protection.  Email: jelena@email.arizona.edu
Jelena's Office Hours:  Mon & Wed 10:30 - 11:30 am in the ILC / Information Commons

Adam Csank (Geosciences & Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research with Global Change minor) is a PhD student working on reconstructing past climates by using stable isotopes of tree-rings   Email: csank@email.arizona.edu
Adam's Office Hours:  Tue & Thu 11:00 am - 12:00 noon in the ILC / Information Commons

Steve Amesbury (Arid Lands Resources Science with a Remote Sensing minor ) is a PhD student interested in the use of remote sensing to monitor ecological changes in riparian plant communities in the Southwest.  Email: amesbury@email.arizona.edu
Steve's Office Hours:  Mon 11:30 am - 12:30 pm in the ILC / Information Commons

GTA office hours & contact information are also posted on the class website under TEACHING TEAM.

UNDERGRADUATE PRECEPTORS

This could be YOU!!  We hope to recruit a group of students enrolled in the class to serve as PRECEPTORS.  Preceptors are undergraduate students who become assistants in the class by helping their fellow students and working closely with the professor and GTA's on a TEACHING TEAM.  It's a great way to learn the material better, get to know the professor, and gain a variety of skills. Looks great on your resume too! Any enthusiastic and self-motivated student is eligible to apply.  PLEASE CONSIDER BECOMING A PRECEPTOR.  How do you apply to be a preceptor??  Click on "Teaching Team" on the NATS 101-GC Website to learn more and to  access the online preceptor application.   Direct link:  http://fp.arizona.edu/kkh/nats101gc/how.htm To learn more about the program, visit the University Teaching Teams Program webpage at:     http://teachingteams.arizona.edu/

HONORS CREDIT Honors credit is available for this course by enrolling in one of the special Honors Sections(57H or 58H)  and being a preceptor for the class. To learn more about this option online, see the "Teaching Team Links" above or on the NATS 101-GC Website to see what's involved.  Go to How to Become a Preceptor for NATS 101-GC, or CLICK HERE to learn about how to earn Honors Credit by being a Preceptor .  If you have additional questions, contact Dr. H.

REQUIRED TEXTS, COURSE MATERIALS, & COMPUTER ACCESS

 Textbooks  - Two (2) Textbooks and a class notes packet are REQUIRED items:

	TEXTBOOK # 1  (REQUIRED) -- The Science of Global Change - An Introduction -- This is a custom textbook arranged specifically for this course by Dr H.  It includes material from two different textbooks:  The Earth System by Kump, Kasting, & Crane (2004) 2nd Edition;  Physics Concepts and Connections, by Hobson, 4th Edition (2007) This comes packaged with Textbook #2  (new) or you can buy it used separately at the ASUA Bookstore.
	TEXTBOOK # 2 (REQUIRED) - Dire Predictions, Understanding Global Warming by Michael E. Mann & Lee R. Kump (2009) -   It comes packaged with Textbook #1 (new) or you can buy it used separately at the ASUA Bookstore -- or you may be able to get it online as well.
	Class Notes Packet (REQUIRED) -- A packet that includes notes for each class period and additional information to supplement the course is also required.   The Class Notes Packets are NOW available  for purchase in the ASUA bookstore.   Ask for a copy at the Textbook Desk. [NOTE:  After the first week of classes, if the Bookstore runs out of stock of the Class Notes Packet, you must personally submit a re-order at the Bookstore's Textbook Desk to get a copy. Your order should be ready for pick up in 24 hours.]

Computer & Internet Access  is also  REQUIRED for this class.  --  To access some of the class activities & materials you'll need internet access & an up-to-date browser (Internet Explorer, Netscape, etc., available in the UA Libraries and UA Information Commons & Campus Computer Labs).  For information on computer access on campus or from home see the Getting Started with Technology at UA online guide at: http://www.oscr.arizona.edu/computer_help/new_student_guide 

Help is also available at all OSCR (Office of Student Computing Resources) Labs & Help Desks on campus -- see: http://www.oscr.arizona.edu/
 

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GRADING CRITERIA 

 IMPORTANT:  See the Course Policies FAQ on the Course Website for the absence policy and all other policies related to the course.  You are expected to know and adhere to these policies.

Your final LETTER GRADE will be based on the % earned of 500 possible points in the class, distributed as follows. The probable letter grade cutoffs are:  A (90-100%), B (80-89%), C (70-79%), D (60-69%), E (<60%)

QUIZZES, TESTS & EXAMS

  Online Readiness Quizzes:  Most weeks during the semester, as we begin a new major topic, you will take online Readiness Quizzes (RQ) in D2L covering the assigned readings. The purpose of these short quizzes is to motivate you to keep up with the material and arrive in class “prepared-to-learn” by having already read and studied the textbook for the topics we will discuss in class.  Prior to taking an online Readiness Quiz, you will have the opportunity to test your comprehension of what you have read and get feedback via ungraded online Self Tests (ST).

          In-Class Tests:  After a related set of topics in class, you will take short In-Class Tests which you will complete both individually and with your group, earning both an individual and group grade.  

          Exams: Lastly there will be an in-class Midterm Exam  and a Final Exam which you will take completely on your own. 
        
These different forms of testing increase in weight from "low stakes" to "high stakes" point totals so you can gain confidence with your understanding of the material as you progress through the different levels of tests from Self Tests to the Final Exam.

       

ASSIGNMENTS

The class will involve both individual and group assignments designed to engage you in the course material and "learn by doing." "Learning Group" assignments (G) will take place in class so you won't have to worry about meeting with your group to complete them outside of scheduled class hours.  Individual assignments (I) will be homework exercises that are done outside of class on your own, often with support and/or follow-up in the classroom.  For example, one of the assignments will be a class Tree-Ring Project  which will be conducted primarily in the classroom with your group, but for which you'll write-up an individual report at home.  A Term Project on Linking Global Change Science to Life will give you the opportunity to link one of the course concepts to something that interests you personally in your major or everyday life.    You can find assignment details, instructions, and due dates in D2L as the semester progresses at the Assignment link.
 
 

LETTER GRADE GUIDELINES

Your final LETTER GRADE for this course will be based on the % earned of all possible points in the class.  The probable letter grade cutoffs are:  A (90-100%), B (80-89%), C (70-79%), D (60-69%), E (<60%), however these cutoffs are subject to a slight adjustment based on the degree of difficulty of this semester's tests and assignments.  At final grade time, if you are borderline between two letter grades, your effort in the course as reflected in your overall completion of assignments plus any bonus points you may have earned, will all be factored into consideration for the higher letter grade. However, the most critical determinant of whether you've earned the higher final letter grade will be your performance on the Midterm and Final Exams, and especially the essay portion of the Final Exam.  It is on these tests that you will "stand alone" to demonstrate how much you have learned in the course -- which is the ultimate determinant of your grade.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY & COURSE POLICIES

The UA Code of Academic Integrity can be found at: http://deanofstudents.arizona.edu/codeofacademicintegrity   You are responsible for knowing it, understanding it, and adhering to it!  NO exceptions!   In addition to the Code, you are responsible for knowing and adhering to all NATS 101-GC Course Policies as specified in the Course FAQ at:  http://fp.arizona.edu/kkh/nats101gc/faq.htm

See especially, COURSE POLICY FAQ # 16 -#18 on Plagiarism and the Code of Academic Integrity